Northwestern Medicine
Medical Laboratory Scientist - Immunology, Full-Time, Days
Northwestern Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60290
Medical Laboratory Scientist – Immunology
At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient‑first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better healthcare, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system.
Ready to join our quest for better?
Job Description The Medical Laboratory Scientist reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.
A Medical Laboratory Scientist performs test procedures in a clinical laboratory and conveys the results to the physician or designee in an accurate and timely manner for the purpose of patient diagnosis and treatment.
Responsibilities
Technical responsibilities: Performs all aspects of pre‑analytic workflow appropriate for the specific laboratory section to ensure orders are entered correctly, specimens collected are appropriate for the test ordered and are correctly processed/transported.
Verifies order where necessary.
Verifies non‑patient information (e.g., collection time) according to established protocol.
Handles unresolved orders, troubleshoots where needed.
Verifies with physicians and/or nurses prior to laboratory information system (LIS) order entry to resolve unclear, duplicate or otherwise ambiguous orders.
Verifies specimens for add‑on tests are available and acceptable and generates add‑on test orders.
Recognizes when fraud and abuse compliance issues require adjustments to the test order.
Collects, receives and processes specimens: verifies specimens are correctly and completely labeled upon receipt, evaluates specimens for appropriateness, takes necessary corrective action, documents unacceptable specimens and notifies as needed.
Prioritizes specimen processing based on established priorities.
Aliquots specimens according to established protocols.
Performs all aspects of analytical testing appropriate for the specific laboratory section, following established written protocols and standard operating procedures (SOP).
Maintains test system integrity: performs preventive maintenance on instruments/equipment in a timely fashion per defined schedule.
Verifies reagents and supplies meet defined acceptability criteria upon receipt and prior to use; removes unacceptable items.
Ensures sufficient reagents and supplies necessary for test performance are available and notifies senior staff when minimum inventories are encountered.
Performs and records all necessary quality control (QC) for test system performance; evaluates QC results and takes corrective action per protocol.
Performs specimen preparation: conducts pre‑test specimen preparation per protocols (e.g., microbiology plating, cell cultures, filtering, extraction, separation, elution, absorption, etc.) and transfers or ships specimens to approved testing locations per SOP.
Performs tests: prioritizes testing based on assignments or established priorities, completes testing within defined turnaround times (TAT), follows age‑specific protocols, responds to workflow changes by coordinating simultaneous series of tests or adjusting work to incorporate STAT tests or fluctuations in volume.
Monitors daily workflow and priorities to assure service levels are met.
Performs technical review and interpretation: reviews results for completeness, correctness and consistency, evaluates test results/reactions, provides accurate interpretations including correlation with other patient data, performs visual identification as appropriate and recognizes unusual results to complete reflex testing or follow‑up actions.
Follows established notification protocols for critical values, phone/fax/email results requests and abnormalities.
Troubleshoots and solves problems: recognizes test system performance problems and takes corrective action, escalates unresolved problems and follows up, prints pending logs and ensures pending tests are completed or cancelled as appropriate.
Post‑test specimen storage: stores specimens and related materials per protocols, retrieves specimens when needed, performs post‑analytical workflow for accurate result reporting within time frames, ensures specimens are retained appropriately, and requires accurate billing charges.
Verifies and reports results: verifies results per procedure, performs necessary computer functions to release results, generates written reports per protocol, reviews reports when applicable, recognizes problems and escalates, corrects erroneous reports, responds to information requests per confidentiality protocol, escalates unresolved inquiries.
Stores documents and records per established protocol.
Charge capture/billing: performs billing/credits for tests and services when applicable, recognizes billing problems and escalates accordingly.
Universal responsibilities: ensures quality of operations by following SOPs, operating instruments/equipment per protocol, using computers per protocol, performing required quality system responsibilities, meeting proficiency and competency standards, training new employees and students, reviewing new SOPs, participating in new test development, validating and implementation, attending at least one personal development session per year, performing other duties as assigned, ensuring safety by following safety procedures and PPE usage, maintaining a clean and organized work area, providing service excellence by answering phone as needed, maintaining patient confidentiality, assisting patients, visitors and others as needed.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Technology, Medical Laboratory Science, Clinical Laboratory Science, Chemistry, Biology, or Allied Health qualifying the applicant to take the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) exam, or equivalent certification.
License/Certification and Regulatory Agency compliance.
General MLS or MT (ASCP) Certification or eligibility.
Categorical BB, C, H or M (ASCP) Certification or eligibility.
If hired after 1/19/2025, must be ASCP certified (or equivalent) within one year of employment.
Additional Information Northwestern Medicine is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.
If we offer you a job, we will perform a background check that includes a review of any criminal convictions. A conviction does not disqualify you from employment at Northwestern Medicine. We consider this on a case‑by‑case basis and follow all state and federal guidelines.
Benefits We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well‑being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section to learn more.
Seniority Level Associate
Employment Type Full‑time
Job Function
Marketing and Product Management
Software Development and IT Services
IT Consulting
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Ready to join our quest for better?
Job Description The Medical Laboratory Scientist reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.
A Medical Laboratory Scientist performs test procedures in a clinical laboratory and conveys the results to the physician or designee in an accurate and timely manner for the purpose of patient diagnosis and treatment.
Responsibilities
Technical responsibilities: Performs all aspects of pre‑analytic workflow appropriate for the specific laboratory section to ensure orders are entered correctly, specimens collected are appropriate for the test ordered and are correctly processed/transported.
Verifies order where necessary.
Verifies non‑patient information (e.g., collection time) according to established protocol.
Handles unresolved orders, troubleshoots where needed.
Verifies with physicians and/or nurses prior to laboratory information system (LIS) order entry to resolve unclear, duplicate or otherwise ambiguous orders.
Verifies specimens for add‑on tests are available and acceptable and generates add‑on test orders.
Recognizes when fraud and abuse compliance issues require adjustments to the test order.
Collects, receives and processes specimens: verifies specimens are correctly and completely labeled upon receipt, evaluates specimens for appropriateness, takes necessary corrective action, documents unacceptable specimens and notifies as needed.
Prioritizes specimen processing based on established priorities.
Aliquots specimens according to established protocols.
Performs all aspects of analytical testing appropriate for the specific laboratory section, following established written protocols and standard operating procedures (SOP).
Maintains test system integrity: performs preventive maintenance on instruments/equipment in a timely fashion per defined schedule.
Verifies reagents and supplies meet defined acceptability criteria upon receipt and prior to use; removes unacceptable items.
Ensures sufficient reagents and supplies necessary for test performance are available and notifies senior staff when minimum inventories are encountered.
Performs and records all necessary quality control (QC) for test system performance; evaluates QC results and takes corrective action per protocol.
Performs specimen preparation: conducts pre‑test specimen preparation per protocols (e.g., microbiology plating, cell cultures, filtering, extraction, separation, elution, absorption, etc.) and transfers or ships specimens to approved testing locations per SOP.
Performs tests: prioritizes testing based on assignments or established priorities, completes testing within defined turnaround times (TAT), follows age‑specific protocols, responds to workflow changes by coordinating simultaneous series of tests or adjusting work to incorporate STAT tests or fluctuations in volume.
Monitors daily workflow and priorities to assure service levels are met.
Performs technical review and interpretation: reviews results for completeness, correctness and consistency, evaluates test results/reactions, provides accurate interpretations including correlation with other patient data, performs visual identification as appropriate and recognizes unusual results to complete reflex testing or follow‑up actions.
Follows established notification protocols for critical values, phone/fax/email results requests and abnormalities.
Troubleshoots and solves problems: recognizes test system performance problems and takes corrective action, escalates unresolved problems and follows up, prints pending logs and ensures pending tests are completed or cancelled as appropriate.
Post‑test specimen storage: stores specimens and related materials per protocols, retrieves specimens when needed, performs post‑analytical workflow for accurate result reporting within time frames, ensures specimens are retained appropriately, and requires accurate billing charges.
Verifies and reports results: verifies results per procedure, performs necessary computer functions to release results, generates written reports per protocol, reviews reports when applicable, recognizes problems and escalates, corrects erroneous reports, responds to information requests per confidentiality protocol, escalates unresolved inquiries.
Stores documents and records per established protocol.
Charge capture/billing: performs billing/credits for tests and services when applicable, recognizes billing problems and escalates accordingly.
Universal responsibilities: ensures quality of operations by following SOPs, operating instruments/equipment per protocol, using computers per protocol, performing required quality system responsibilities, meeting proficiency and competency standards, training new employees and students, reviewing new SOPs, participating in new test development, validating and implementation, attending at least one personal development session per year, performing other duties as assigned, ensuring safety by following safety procedures and PPE usage, maintaining a clean and organized work area, providing service excellence by answering phone as needed, maintaining patient confidentiality, assisting patients, visitors and others as needed.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Technology, Medical Laboratory Science, Clinical Laboratory Science, Chemistry, Biology, or Allied Health qualifying the applicant to take the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) exam, or equivalent certification.
License/Certification and Regulatory Agency compliance.
General MLS or MT (ASCP) Certification or eligibility.
Categorical BB, C, H or M (ASCP) Certification or eligibility.
If hired after 1/19/2025, must be ASCP certified (or equivalent) within one year of employment.
Additional Information Northwestern Medicine is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.
If we offer you a job, we will perform a background check that includes a review of any criminal convictions. A conviction does not disqualify you from employment at Northwestern Medicine. We consider this on a case‑by‑case basis and follow all state and federal guidelines.
Benefits We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well‑being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section to learn more.
Seniority Level Associate
Employment Type Full‑time
Job Function
Marketing and Product Management
Software Development and IT Services
IT Consulting
#J-18808-Ljbffr